if you'll pardon the expression
A preemptive apology for the particular words one is about to use. He was acting like, if you'll pardon the expression, a complete ass.
if you're born to be hanged, then you'll never be drowned
If someone is destined to die in a particular way, no other type of injury or disaster will kill them. A: "I can't believe Paul's doing so well after getting rescued by the lifeguard." B: "Well, you know what they say—if you're born to be hanged, then you'll never be drowned."
if you'll pardon the expression
Fig. excuse the expression I am about to say or just said. This thing is—if you'll pardon the expression—loused up. I'm really jacked, if you'll pardon the expression.
If you're born to be hanged, then you'll never be drowned.
Prov. If you escape one disaster, it must be because you are destined for a different kind of disaster. (Sometimes used to warn someone who has escaped drowning against gloating over good luck.) When their ship was trapped in a terrible storm, Ellen told her husband that she feared they would die. "Don't worry," he replied with a yawn, "if you're born to be hanged, then you'll never be drowned."